Morning light brought evidence of the first snow of the season, along with a cold and mighty wind. Near record waves on Lake Michigan, some of them flooding Chicago's Outer Drive.

The early afternoon brought Becca, Will, Maddie, Ellie, and Katy, and Renee and Abby for some fun in the lower level playground—including a ghost walk illuminated only by eerily glowing glow sticks. Then outside to jump in the leaf pile and for swinging underdogs, then back in just as Bri and Tony arrived. The kids had a dinner picnic right inside the glass front storm door, watching for early tricksters. And then, bundled up, we all went trick or treating ourselves, all the way around the big neighborhood block.

A dark and windy night. Leaves crunching underfoot. A couple of bonfires. And lots of friendly houses. Katy and Ellie are at what is perhaps the optimum age for trick-or-treating—running up to each house, knocking boldly or taking turns ringing the doorbell, and always saying thank you, even to singing witches.